Ban on Open Burning in New York State 88 comments
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has proposed a statewide ban on most forms of open burning to reduce pollution and wildfires.
The State’s main concern is that more trash and plastics are being burned, releasing increasing amounts of cancer-causing chemicals into the air. Banning outdoor burning altogether could be an effective solution, as regulating materials being burned can be difficult.
Proposed regulations would include exceptions for small campfires, training exercise fires for emergency personnel, ceremonial, religious, and flag retirement fires.
Current restrictions are in place on burning debris outdoors in communities with populations of more than 20,000 people.
Many state residents and farmers, including those in the Adirondack Park, rely on controlled brush burning and burn barrels to dispose of lawn clippings, leaves, tree limbs and agricultural wastes.
Farmers are currently permitted to burn brush and agricultural waste such as feed bags, bale wraps and greenhouse flats, many of which are made of non-recyclable plastics.
Alternatives to burning include trips to dumps, landfills, or renting chipping machinery, which can be costly. Some property owners argue that strict enforcement of ‘no trash burning’ would be more effective than a statewide ban on all burning.
How do you feel about the proposed ban - should New York State place greater restrictions on open burning?
As an Alaskan you get used to hearing about burned bans, and I have to say that this one actually makes some sense.
I think that the state should place more strict burn restrictions from the information of this article.
I know that in Alaska we are not allowed to burn large fires in residential areas without permits from the Fire Department, and in the wild we can only have campfires in areas marked for campfires, such as campsites.
The state has definetly benefitted from this as we have seen a drop in the wildfires, so I think that this crack down would be a wonderful idea for keeping the state healthier and safer.
I completly agree with you. Wood smoke is not that bad, but trash smoke pollutes the already polluted air. We should have a ban on all open fires that are not completely made of wood.
I think that they should not ban fires but ban the bad use of them, For ex. not using Gas or and other chemicals to start the fire…
I don’t agree, but they should monitor people
Please leave us alone. We do not need more restrictions placed on us. Let’s save lives and work on cell service in the Adirondacks. People are much more important than trees!
NY state is over taxed and way over regulated. and I might add people cannot afford to live here. I LOVE MY ADIRONDACKS, AND I DO NOT LIKE TO BE TOLD WHAT I CAN AND CANNOT DO BY A FEW SELF RIGHTEOUS LEGISLATORS.
they should ban burning trash but they shouldnt ban burning wood fires because it takes away water purifacaiton for hikers and campers and it takes away heat from outdoorsmenand there cooking capabiaties outdoors
We strongly support the ban! The toxic smoke really bothers us. We have spent hours and hours tracking down the sources of the horrible smoke, reporting it to our local code enforcement and or DEC and often times nothing can be done because of lack of jurisdiction. In addition, because some materials are allowed to be burned, it is hard to enforce or detect when someone burns something that is illegal. We live in the adirondacks because we love nature and “fresh air.” Because of the frequent burning of garbage, our air is unhealthy and unpleasant. Our relatives in cities have better laws to protect them. Whatever it takes to improve our air quality, we wholeheartedly support. Thank you!
Paul and Laura WEick
23 Library Avenue
Warrensburg, NY 12885
It is important to keep air quality for future generations. I support alternative forms of energy such as wind and water. I want to maintain burning wood for campfires as a way to make camping and experiencing the outdoors enjoyable for people. This will give them added respect for their natural world
I think that NYS should place a greater restriction on open burning because certain chemicals are being released into the atmosphere and that is doing damage to our earth.
I’m strongly against a one size fits all solution to an unproven problem (all outdoor burning causing cancer)! I would support a ban on burning trash and garbage, but brush, leaves, and grass are natural products. Burning off dead grass in the spring, or leaves in the fall is not going to pollute the atmosphere to any measurable degree. This state already has way to many restrictions on what one can and can’t do, in the name of “big brother” protectionism. Do what’s right for once and enforce no trash burning, and not just what’s easy by just banning all burning.
LOWER THE COST OF LANDFILLS AND PEOPE WILL STOP BURNING
We need to do everything possible to pertect the Adirondack’s , but keep it acessable to most uses.
I am proud to think that after years of fighting for this legislation both on a local and the state level that it may finally come to pass.
Garbage burning is unnecessary and unhealthful. There are many alternates to burning trash such as recycling, reusing and reducing. Every day too many resources which could be recycled are instead burned. This practice, which affects those who live nearby as well as those who eat dairy and meat products grown in areas where people farm, affects the health of all of us near and far.
Farmers say it will be an economic hardship for them, but this is not so. There are currently agricultural plastics recycling pilot programs which will hopefully soon be in operation and so remove the largest portion of the trash bill: those pesky ag. bags.
For all of our health, let it pass.
Respectfully,
Mary Ashwood
We should ban the open burning and killing of wildlife not only in the adirondaks but also on all of the U.S.
This is an unreasonable piece of proposed legislation. People have been burning fires for thousands of years. Instead, people who are found to be burning plastics and trash should be prosecuted and fined.
No!!!!
How are you supposed to cook when you go camping and stuff???
It should not be banned more than it already is.
burning ruins the air!!
no more open burning!!
your Museum is really neat. I have to say i am aganist the burning.
stop open burning fires!
Yes, yes, we must do all we can to preserve our great wilds!
garbage YES wood NO
Yes New York should enforce no trash burning
IF there is a STATE ban, why didn’t the STATE send all residents a notice??? With mass communications so easy, why are we not more informed? ok, so what do we do if we see someone burning trash….barrel or in the open????
jkolins@frontiernet.net
ps…trips to dumps would be good…BUT MOST TOWNS make it very difficult to get a permit…too many restrictions.
find something else of more importance and leave small rural areas alone.
I think that banning outdoor burning would be an effective solution. It might be more costly, but it would demote cancer and improve the air quality. I agree that a “no trash burning” purposal would be more advantageous.
Allow the local communities to establish their own regulations regarding burning. To outlaw any burning semms to be the usual overzealous and punitive approach of environmental groups and non-residents.
no more dec regulations
I think it is a good idea that they ban burn barrows bc of all of the people getting sick and getting cancer n the cause of wild fires.
As well intended as it sounds, common sense is not being considered as the government involvement often precludes said common sense. Open burning of acceptable materials is necessary in rural, agricultural areas. It is not beyond the realm of possibility that cattle/livestock will someday be banned due to their natural emissions of methane gas as a result of government’s inability to legislate with common sense.
Composting of lawn clippings and brush is a more effective means to disposed of “yard waste”. Open burning should not be open-ended and inclusive of all materials. There are many more toxins in every use than in prior genreations and thes need to be disposed of properly rather than part of “trash burning” practice. Better yet, acquisition / use of these products should be eliminated. We need more consumer edcuation about the issue and more consumer activism to eliminate the source of these pollutants.
I think this is a great idea. Fires are a big part of the reasons we are loosing forests in the area. Fire saftey is our job!
It is a wonderful place because I like the things. The things are so great. There are many alternatives to burning and burning is dangerous and releases toxins into our air.
I think that they should ban burning garbage, but not open fires. If it really does cause cancer, then sure this is a necessary law, but you have not proved that yet.
The proposed band on open burning is too restrictive. Much of the yard waste being generated in rural communities can and has been safely burned for years.
It is when individuals do not take into consideration the effects of burning garbage and let it smolder for days that become a problem. Burning of yard waste and brush should be allowed in rural communities by both the individual and the municipalities.
This ban is not nessary
I drive through many areas in Wayne county on my way to work.Households are still burning trash and garbage instead of participating in formal refuse collections. The morning sunrises reflect the heavy hanging aftermath of this careless waste disposal.
camping yes, other no.
I think it’s bad for the enviornment. I think it should stop.try your best to get it to stop.
cancer causing chemicals are not good- so it is good that open burning is banned-
it is also good that what you burn is limited- not trash- but brush and feed bags- what the farmers burn.
new york should keep burning trash and plastics burned- but still permit natural things- like brush, tree limbs, and other natural materials be burned. otherwise, these cancer causing chemicals could kill and sicken several people-
this is good for the health of the people and is good to help keep new york green
i agree
it is a very bad thing 4 the enviorment
I agree with the states concer
We don’t need more regulation as the people who burn toxics (plastic, tires, etc.) will continue to burn it regardless of laws. We should allow open burning and crack down on those burning toxics - already an illegal act in NY State. Many in the Upper Adirondacks do not have road access and taking all trash to the dump is expensive. A reminder, dumps are already filling up as well. The garbage (if not burned) will end up on road sides, store dumpsters, etc. if burning is not allowed which will pollute much more than smoke from burnable (non-toxic) materials. Allow the law abiding and environmentally conscious to burn non-toxic trash and crack down on polluters.
yes because if there wasnt any fires in camping grounds you wouldnt have real camping
This should have been stopped long ago.
Please pass this ban. The terrible pollution, just of leaves being burned in the fall for example, has to be stopped.
I’m against open burning.
NO, EDUCATE PEOPLE MORE
Would not extra trips to the dumps, landfills, or renting chipping machinery increase a person’s carbon footprint and therefore increase glkobal warming?
I agree with the ban on open burning in New York State. I think it is a good idea to help reduce pollution and wildfires. New York State should definately place greater restrictions on open burning.
if your gonna ban burning for pollution why not start with fossil fuels… pollution should be tackled big prolblem then little.
No Open Burning !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I agree with no trash burning. I prefer to burn credit card offers, especially those with my information on them, rather than throw them in the trash.
I support the ban as long as campfires and bonfires are still allowed. I believe this ban will help decrease the amounts of chemicals harmful to both humans and the environment found in the atmosphere. Farmers can dump their debris in the forest and allow natural decomposition. Bonfires should still be allowed because when conducted appropriately and infrequently, they can be great fun and not dangerous.
its bad, it should be stopped because it kills animlas , it should be limited to a piont, thingslike plastic should not be burned.
burning is fine if your not burning plastic.
this is somethign that should be banned, it kills the environment, it would be alright if you limeted yourself to not burning things like plastics, because they can cause cancer to happen.
I have a farm and rely on burning lumber scraps, paper packaging and paper trash to reduce the amount I have to add to a landfill. Nothing disturbs me more than seeing/smelling someone burning plastic or rubber trash. I don’t know how it could be enforced, but I hope we are allowed to continue to burn the appropriate materials.
I think you have a good idea to reduce poullution.
This is against the rights of rual land owners, and will cause us to pay for trash removal. We are able to have small fires on our land without causing big fires. Regardless if a law is passed we will countine to burn on our land.
the ban on burning is another atempt to control people of ny this is a bad idea it is rediculious
if we did that than the waste managment would havce to pick up the slack
Burning at dump sites needs to be banned. especially plastics and manufactures synthetic materials made from petroleum products.Campfires and agricultural burning should be permitted.
I think the state should make more restrictions because if your driving by and someone is burning something like rubber it smells discusting
i think that factories and other people that dont care about are environment shoud stop polluting and find more efficient and better things to use instead of doing what they are doing!
EDUCATION IS THE ANSWER,THERE ALREADY ENOUGH LAWS ON THE BOOKS. WHY MAKE MORE. UNABLE TO ENFORCE THE NEW BURN LAW.
The polution being spewed into the air by our corporations far exceeds that being infused by the average citizen. Let’s pass some laws to coral their pollutions…
This method is a very effective method, however, this is only one state. In addition, it wouldn’t completely solve the problem. One alternative would be to recycle plastic bags when shopping, using older plastic bags or even paper bags.
What about the energy wasted and polutiion from using chippers and driving to the dump
i belive they should but shouldn’t ban open burning in new york state. because if they ban it, people cant enjoy bon fires and have smores. nbut it is safer because open fires could cause wild fires.
NO TRASH BURNING ONLY. There is nothing wrong with backyard campfires. The goverment should try to reduce their cost instead of creating more usless laws to justify their jobs.
i think that people shouldnt be able to burn plastics and trash. yes i think that the ban should go through!!!
Even though burning dangerous materials could couse harm to us or to the enviroment, it seems better than to add it to a landfill where it would add up and produce maethane that is also possibly hazzardous to us and the enviroment as well.
If there is to be a ban on burning, it should ONLY be fore trash, not for brush.
NO! Let there be burning, I have acreage and need to burn debris, tree limbs and such. A no trash burning rule would more than suffice. Stop limiting property owners rights…America is still a free country and we need to reduce laws and allow citizens the right to decide for themselves. It would be better to advocate higher morals and develop conscience in the younger generation….most people with any type of conscience would not burn plastics or harmful items.
NO STATE GETS TO INVOLVED AS IT IS WE USE TO CLEAN HILLS OFF IN THE SPRING WITH A BURN. REGENERATED NEW GROWTH ELIMINATED DUMPING LEAVES IN PILES THAT STAYED IN PILES FOR YEARS.
Some people on here are either foolish or mislead! The state wants a ban to collect more taxes in fines. We ARE over regulated in this state, and bootom line for this ban is to feed the pockets on the landfills. Plastic/ vynal does release toxic fumes, but this is minimal to the factory incinerations the true pollutants. Also some areas are prone to wildfire, but not the whole state, who would have a wholesale burn on Ampersand Mountain?. A responsible burn should not be regulated or condemed. Want to sights of NYS allowed landfill??? Take Rt 177 from Adams Center NY towards Lowville, and just before Rodman hill looksoutheast and see the largest hill in the horizon! Brown, high, LARGE mountain of garbage. Tallest visual for MILES.
No trash burning is the better choice.
I see nothing wrong with burning paper products that cannot be reused. Plasgics and other toxic products should be recycled when possible….
I FEEL THAT THERE ARE ENOUGH BANS IN NY STATE - PEOPLE LONG BEFORE US HAVE HAD FIRES TO COOK, EAT, HEAT AND JUST PLAN ENJOY. I PERSONALLY DON’T BURN GARBAGE AS I HAVE ENOUGH COMMON SENSE NOT TOO AND I THINK MOST OTHER PEOPLE DO TOO. TIME FOR PEOPLE THAT CAN THINK FOR THEMSELVES, YOU KNOW THE SILENT MAJORITY, TO STAND UP AND SPEAK OUT AGAINST THOSE THAT NEED TO HAVE A LAW OR BAN ON EVERYTHING. BEFORE YOU KNOW IT WE WILL BE TAXED OUT AND BAN TO DEATH
Ban on trash burning and synthetics, okay. Reinforce the laws you already have on burning trash. We need to do all we can to help our farmers, but they should not be allowed to burn anything that is not a natural product. A ban on campfires and wood fires is only necessary when dry weather conditions exist. The Adirondacks are made for camping and enjoyment. Don’t take any more away from people who love the rural areas and nature. You should be focusing on the pollution of industry and smog in urban areas. Campfires are not the cause of global warming.
I don’t see any reason to make an exception for even small campfires in populated areas. My neighbors fumigate the entire neighborhood six months out of the year, and I’m fed up with it. Learn the hazards of wood smoke - burningissues.org
and then decide if you want to subject yourself and your neighbors to this needless poison. If you must have a fire, get a clean-burning propane firepit
Yes they should impose greater restrictions!!! My neighbor, as I write this, is burning old insulation and pressure treated wood as he is remodeling his home. I had to shut my windows as the smoke was pouring in them.
I think NY already places enough ristrictions on people and freedoms. It is well on its way to being a police state.
We in NYS are over regulated, over taxed, over burdened with nonsense from government. This comes as no surprise to stop ALL burning. This is nonsense. Put this effort into better and cheaper trash pickup for those who don’t have trash pick up. Leave the people alone to have a nice fire outside to enjoy. We don’t have much left to enjoy in this state that we can afford. Stop the continuous legislation that takes away the few freedoms and enjoyment we might have left living in this over regulated state.
No leaf burning in communities that provide regular leaf pickup.